# NTSB NYC85LA157: Schweizer SGS 1-26, N691U, Cambria, NY, June 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1985, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Cambria, NY
- Location: 43.1766° N, 78.8203° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Town of Cambria, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1766&lon=-78.8203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35898
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35898/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA157

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, descent
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER, WHILE RETURNING TO LAND AFTER A PLEASURE FLT, ENCOUNTER A RAINSHOWER AND STRONG DOWNDRAFT. THE PLT MADE A LANDING IN A FARMERS FLD. DURING THE LANDING THE RIGHT WING CAUGHT AND THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED, INCURRING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N691U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N691U-2020-12-08), registration cancelled 2020-12-08, S/N 310, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER SGS 1-26
- Registry model: [Schweizer SGS 1-26B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26b) (registry code 8050118) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Engines: NONE NONE unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Duane Carl
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: 62NY, Lockport/Cambria

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 338 total, 238 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850628029029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850628029029A), Jun 28, 1985: Scwzer SGS126B, Cambria, NY, Substantial damage. Lost too much altitude in a rainshower with downdrafts. Landed in a field. Wingtip caught, glider ground looped.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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